cwalner
Philosopher
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2008
- Messages
- 6,104
The Hebrew verb for “created” in Genesis 1:1 is in the perfect state, signifying completion. The creation was finished at this point. This is important when considering the verses that follow. The heavens had been created at this point, including the sun and moon and stars. The Hebrew verb has two states; the perfect state, which indicates completed action, and the imperfect state which indicates action in progress, incompleteness. In Genesis 1:1, "created" in the Hebrew was the perfect state indicating completeness. The act of creating the heavens and the earth were complete.
In college, I was looking for answers to life persistent questions so turned briefly to religion in an attempt to find them. Since my background is Secular Jewish, I turned to Judaism and learned quite the opposite about Genesis 1:1. Modern English translations used by Jews translate it as "In the beginning of God's creating of the heavens and the Earth ..." indicating not only was it an ongoing process, but that it is still, in fact ongoing. far from a fait acompli that you suggest.
Now, I don't speak Hebrew myself, so I have to take the translator's word. However, I am more inclined to go with a translation from a tradition that has studied that particular work in Hebrew for the last several thousand years, as opposed to one that is working from texts that have been translated from Hebrew to Aramaic to Latin to English.
I am not stating that I believe the text is factual, but I am much more inclined to accept the Jewish translation of Hebrew verb conjugation than I am of a Christian translation of the same.